It’s true, Canadians do love their cottages, but there seems to be a shift taking place in the desire to spend hours getting to the lake to find only a few measly hours to relax there. It comes down to both time and price — that little cabin in the woods is damn expensive. A waterfront cottage in Ontario’s prime Muskoka area will set you back at least $650,000 — but even double that amount no longer raises eyebrows. Coupling that with maintenance, rising property taxes and the always memorable highway drive, many cottagers have begun to rethink their summer escape plan. Some have decided to forgo the headaches and re-invent their backyards.

But as with interiors, a good design foundation should come before the decor; this means focusing on the yard’s infrastructure to create a base from which to build a lovely urban retreat.
Carson Arthur, outdoor design and lifestyle expert and HGTV host, says this is fundamental. As a voice for environmentally friendly landscape design, he’s helped many homeowners create private oases right at their back door. “People walk into their own backyards and right into their own cottage,” he says. “It’s easier to switch from business shoes to flip flops when all you really have to do is step outside.”

A big space can be really intimidating, so take time to do your due diligence. Gather photos of projects you like in your neighbourhood, read magazines, visit websites like Pinterest and houzz.com. Find inspiration in the pictures and, more important, if you like what you see, find out if the landscaper is in your area. If you find yourself pulling together a number of different styles, a good designer will be able to find their common elements and help you define your taste. Make notes. Don’t get frazzled; you don’t have to spend all your money in one day or even one season. Take your time, see what captures your eye and what’s trending (be flexible to a point, because your must-have list might change once you see the vast range of designs out there). Don’t even think about cushion colours at this point.

Micropro SiennaEven if you don't have cedar-shingle walls, an urban backyard can look rather cottagey, with Muskoka chairs and typical lakeside accessories. A table and chairs can be placed farther in the back of yard to free up this deck space.

Define what your usable space is
What does “usable” mean? Any area that is comfortable to walk on and to have furniture on. Ask yourself whether you actually need a lawn — or do you want a huge patio, a vegetable garden (a huge trend right now) and/or an outdoor kitchen? Define your goals for your backyard space and consider how often will you realistically use that feature.

Maximize that outdoor space
Flowers and plants don’t actually provide much return on investment, plus, gardens take a lot of work and commitment, and a cottage — erm, backyard — should be about kicking back. While plants help realize your aesthetic, think about how your family could use the yard and prioritize your design for those purposes. Love that big tree in your backyard? Use it as a canopy to provide much-needed shade for a small dining area. Doing that frees up patio space for, say, an outstanding firepit surrounded by luxurious lounge seating.

Micropro SiennaRustic accessories can help complete the cottage-in-the-city vibe.

Laying the ground workDecking Ask yourself how long you are likely going to be in this house. If it’s less than five years, decking might be the best option. It is the less expensive option, as installation is fast; it will last five to eight years with low maintenance. A deck can usually be built to your custom design, and because the structure itself is above the ground, tree roots, wet ground and grading can be easily be accommodated without adding significant expense.

Compositedecks are made of recycled materials to mimic wood. They’re extremely low maintenance, but costly: In Ontario the average price is $65/square foot. Wood decks have traditionally been seen to be the best value, but with rising material costs this has been changing. The old pressure-treated woods have been banned, but new products are coming on stream (for example, Arthur is a spokesman for MicroPro Sienna, which he says is an environmentally friendly pressure-treated wood that rivals the look of cedar, but at about half its price, and requires no initial staining).

Patio stone This is a fantastic option for the backyard as it makes the most of your outdoor potential, but it does come with the highest initial outlay of all outdoor hardscaping options. A well-built patio can hold its value for 25 years or more with virtually no maintenance. Neither pests, rot, moulds nor natural elements can break down stone. And with new retaining walls and multi-level systems, stone patios can handle any change in front or backyard grade.

Rather than going it alone on that planning, early in the process find a landscaper with design experience and engage them in plenty of time (late this fall, for example, to have everything designed and ready to build next spring; you would be lucky to find a good company with openings left this summer).

And next May 24 weekend, when all your neighbours are loading up their cars for the Friday-night-flight out of town, you can sit out back with a cold one and dream up some one-liners to hurl across the driveway at them when they return frazzled from their relaxing weekend.

Charles Gane never intended to get into the cottage business. After all, the principal of Toronto-based Core Architects has more than enough on his plate.

Over the past two decades, Gane and his partners have designed 150 condominium projects (50 in downtown Toronto), master planned communities, private homes, sports clubs, hotels, stores and offices in Canada and the U.S. They’ve also netted big-name projects overseas, including the Dubai Marina on the Persian Gulf, the flagship branch of Dubai Bank, the design of several Caribbean resorts and numerous condominium projects in Dubai.

That didn’t leave time for Gane to consider building in the woods. But when his family’s intriguing 2,000-square-foot, 70-foot-wide cottage on Georgian Bay made headlines in several publications last year, calls started coming in from outdoorsy types eager to recreate the look.

“I was always pissed off with the level of — or lack of — design in cottages so I always said to myself, ‘If I ever get a cottage, I’m going to try to do something that makes sense, something that’s modern and something that uses the landscape,’” Gane says. “This is what I felt I had to do. The good spinoff is that it brought out three other projects from like-minded people who were having the same dilemma. They had their cottage, they’d been living in it, but it didn’t expand on the views. It just didn’t work. Then they saw [mine] and they thought: ‘That’s the kind of thing I want.’”

That “thing” is modernism-meets-minimalism. Much like crossing a ranch bungalow and the boxy modern homes sprouting up all over Toronto lately, think horizontal cottages that are long and lean with flat roofs, walls of floor-to-ceiling windows, and loads of Douglas fir to bring the outdoors in. They’re perched on rock or nestled into the landscape, with porches that extend out to, or overlook, the water and bask in the scenery. It certainly ain’t your grandfather’s cottage or your dad’s architecture, and it’s anything but a Muskoka McMansion. According to Gane, it’s simply a new way of looking at the typical Canadian cottage.

“There’s a whole new market of people who want simple, modernist expressions,” he says. “They’re just sick of the old little windows that don’t overlook the view and cottages that sit on stilts way up in the air. … What you get from this one is that it tries to get into the landscape, it tries to get in low. And it also opens itself up to the views.”

Gane is excited about the cottages that are now on his To Do list: two in Georgian Bay’s Cognashene area and one in Haliburton. He says all three owners were inspired by the design principles in his own cottage: The extensive use of floor-to-ceiling glazing, the strong horizontal expression, the transition spaces that blur the distinction between inside and out, and the simplicity of using few materials. Each interpreted those design principles differently, he adds, yet the thought process was the same. Construction focuses on just three materials: Douglas fir for the structure, cedar shingles to give texture, and stone to meet the ground.

“There are architects doing all kinds of crazy sorts of things, but I think somebody who wants just peace in their lifestyle, simple, I call it minimalism,” he says. “ Once you see roofs shooting in all directions and all crazy forms, it looks good for a while. But this is really dumbed-down simple modernism. … It’s just classic. It’s not trying to scream, ‘Look at me, I’m such crazy design, Frank Gehry shooting around.’ It’s just reserved. It’ll be very calm.”

Core ArchitectsA Haliburton-area cottage Gane designed for a nature-loving couple to take advantage of the views.

The Haliburton project is a perfect example. The owners, both design professionals in their 50s living in a downtown Toronto townhouse, have spent the past decade enjoying their 40-year-old, 800-square-foot, one-bedroom cottage from spring to fall. Situated on 48 acres and surrounded by 100-year-old red and white pines, the cottage is “charming,” says one of owners, but not big enough to entertain properly and not conducive to year-round living once they retire. And, most important, it doesn’t take advantage of the spectacular scenery.

Next year, though, the couple will be ensconced in a 2,000-sq.-ft., 100-ft.-wide, three-bedroom dwelling that sits right on the rocks. It will be simple but sleek, Gane gushes, “like a long, thin wedge in the woods” and “a floating horizontal glazed pavilion” when seen from the water. The living and bedroom spaces will be arranged into a long, thin bar-like element “that will slip through the forest.” The interior will feel like a continuous loft-style space that is 11 feet high, with polished concrete floors and radiant heating. A large screened porch will span the width of the cottage, with a slightly lowered stone terrace off the main living space.

“It’s contemporary, but it has a warmth and a character that we still think is really important to fit into the landscape of the Canadian Shield,” says the owner. “There’s simplicity as well as a sophistication that we were really drawn to. What we don’t want is to build a city house in cottage country, but at the same time we want to have a more traditional cottage type of structure. The whole idea is of this sliver in the woods but it is going to be focused on the view. We’re doing a lot of glass on the lake side [because] view and light are very critical to us.”

Core ArchitectsCharles Gane's own cottage, which the neighbours accepted, despite its modern lines, thanks to the use of wood and shingle.

Minimalism extends to the natural materials that blend into the environment.

“We’re looking at radiant-heated concrete floors, Canadian fir, glass, and as little drywall as possible because we don’t want that city slickness, we want it to be calm,” says the owner. “And neutrality of colour palette as well, with natural woods, stone colours, that sort of thing.”

Still, there will be a bit of an industrial feel to the cottage (the owner prefers to call it “an edge”), thanks to the commercial-grade windows commonly found in condo towers. Given Gane’s usual day job, that’s not surprising.

“The [condo] projects I’m most happy with incorporate exotic materials,” says the architect, citing 500 Wellington West’s combination of wood, zinc, dark charcoal brick and a wrapped frame as one of his favourite projects. “It’s better when you have a view and give a frame for people to look at. That’s how my condo architecture has spilled over to residential.”
Gane encourages would-be modernist cottagers to get cozy with their property well before building. At $400 to $500 per square foot and a year to build, getting it right from the get-go makes sense. He and his wife, Robin, and teenage sons Finn and Oliver spent several years camping on their four-acre property before sketching their dream cottage. Says Gane: “Inspiration comes from the land and the views. You have to be on it to know where the wind is, where the sun is, where you want to stay.”

Gane says his neighbours expected to hate his cottage because it wasn’t a traditional design, but once they saw it they accepted it for what it was. Things like wood and shingles are materials that they’re used to, he explains, and it sits low on the landscape.

“It’s like the first time somebody built a Victorian home where there were only Colonial homes — they must have freaked!” he says. “As long as they’re using good material, that’s good for our business. Cheap modernism is giving us a bad name. With cottages, if you’re respectful of the siting and the trees and the views, it shouldn’t really jump out and stand out the way a Muskoka mansion would.”

Gane says he’s not trying to shake things up with his minimalist leanings. But he likes the idea of fewer rules, of doing what moves you. There was a time when status equalled a 5,000-sq.-ft. condo, he says, but no one wants to clean or heat that anymore. He suggests we’ve reached a tipping point thanks to the legions of young condo dwellers looking for something new.

“We’ve always thought of downtown as floor-to-ceiling glass, you have concrete ceilings, luxury space, and then do you want to pull up to an old crappy cottage that’s falling down? Maybe we’re at a point where all our new clients are going to want modernist cottages.”

His son, Finn, is a case in point. At first the 14-year-old found the modern cottage embarrassing because his friends had traditional ones built decades ago. He also worried it was too expensive and he would break something. But he’s getting over that, claims Dad, because “he’s realizing that the girls like it!”

Many of us have, at some point, dreamt of one day owning a family cottage. In the last few decades those who have yet to fulfill this dream have likely seen the opportunity of cottage ownership slip away due to what is no longer an affordable reality or a purchase price worth the financial burden or risk.

What goes up may eventually come down when interest rates rise, however, as will the cost of borrowing, and we’ll never see prices return back down the glory days when you could purchase a cottage for a few hundred thousand dollars or less. Even your average two-bedroom fixer-upper can go for $500,000 or more, unless you’re willing to travel much further north. Good investment? That’s debatable.

What other options are there to choose from, aside from fractional ownership or timeshares? Those words haunt most people’s dreams; after all, the only time you should be sharing is with your family around the campfire.

The alternative, more affordable option many people are discovering is Park Model Cottage ownership at Cherry Beach Resort in Prince Edward County, steps away from Sandbanks Provincial Park.

Brand new 2015 Park Model summer cottages at Cherry Beach Resort start at $59,900* for a two-bedroom open-concept model. The highest-priced three-bedroom model sells for $129,900*, with add-ons available. All models come with shingled roof tops, low-maintenance vinyl siding and windows, and are fully furnished throughout with appliances, window treatments, air-conditioning and choice of tasteful décor.

It only takes three to four weeks on average before a family is ready to enjoy their first day at the resort — and for many, the start of years of building great family memories, with some new friendships along the way.

As for cottage resort living, what does that mean? Let’s start with what most likely springs to mind with respect to a traditional cottage; imagine a cute little cottage nestled away in a forested area with a few neighbours, a dock, maybe a boat and a nice view of the lake.

Now how about a heated saltwater pool, multi-sports court, playground, recreational pavilion, daily Kidz Klub activities, wine-and-cheese nights for the adults, movie nights under the stars and, of course, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, boating and all the traditional amenities we all love about cottage country?

One more thing: How about a maintenance crew that will cut your grass and maintain the rest of the grounds while you’re busy shopping at the local farmers’ market and exploring all the local wineries across the island along one of the world’s longest bike trails?

Let’s face it – where are your kids going to have more fun? Where are you going to spend less time and money on upkeep and entertainment for the family? Where are you going to meet new friends, feel a little less isolated and safer? At Cherry Beach Resort.

We know what you’re thinking: What about all the running costs and hidden fees? What’s the catch? We get these questions a lot, actually. The reality is virtually all your running costs are included for less than or equal to the cost of a single-family vacation. Water, hydro, grounds-keeping, family entertainment, full use of amenities, security, an on-site management team, unlimited guest passes – it’s all included. Looking to save on half or more on your running costs? Join their rental program and you’re free to keep all your weekends if you want. Want to sell your Park Model Cottage down the road? They have you covered. Cherry Beach Resort makes it easy with their assisted sales program.

Between land taxes, maintenance and upkeep, interest payments on a hefty mortgage loan from the bank – all this excluding amenities, — purchasing a traditional cottage is certainly not for the faint of heart these days. It’s time to look at a much more affordable alternative; an option that will allow you to have your cake… and put more in your RRSPs, RESPs and TFSA account.

This story was provided by Great Blue Resorts for commercial purposes. Postmedia had no involvement in the creation of this content.

]]>http://news.nationalpost.com/homes/cottage-cabin/affordable-cottage-living-remains-within-reach/feed0asideAdvertisement for Great Blue ResortsThis story was provided by Great Blue Resorts for commercial purposes. Postmedia had no involvement in the creation of this content.picSki right to your back doorhttp://news.nationalpost.com/homes/cottage-cabin/ski-right-to-your-back-door
http://news.nationalpost.com/homes/cottage-cabin/ski-right-to-your-back-door#commentsThu, 25 Sep 2014 16:42:09 +0000http://life.nationalpost.com/?p=141359

Built in 2001 at the base of the Alpine Ski Club, this custom-crafted chalet enjoys a “fantastic location for the current or future club member,” says listing agent Andres Paara of Royal LePage Locations North, who has listed the property with Karen Willison. “It’s a short walk to the club and lifts, and you can ski home right to your backdoor.”

It’s within a short drive of Collingwood, Thornbury, numerous beaches and award-winning golf at Georgian Bay Club. Trails for hiking and snowshoeing are also nearby.

The 6,400-square-foot chalet has Douglas fir trim and beams throughout and wide plank hardwood and slate flooring.

Après ski, family and guests can warm themselves by the three-storey granite wood-burning fireplace in the great room, which also has floor-to-ceiling windows offering Georgian Bay views.

The great room is open to the kitchen, which has a large circular island and a separate bar, as well as to the dining area. “It provides a great flow for entertaining,” Mr. Paara says. “The current owners love to hold large gatherings, including girls’ weekends, poker nights and family gatherings.”

The home has six bedrooms, including a master suite with a gas fireplace, a walk-in closet, an ensuite bathroom and a private deck for sunning.

The lower level was built for entertainment. The large games room has a pool table and the home theatre area has a fireplace. A steam room, a sauna, a gym and heated floors are also on this level.

“There is also a mudroom with direct outdoor access so ski gear says out of the rest of the house,” Mr. Paara says.

The beautiful 91×211-ft. ravine lot, on high ground, provides lots of privacy, Mr. Paara says. “A very large back deck has a hot tub, an outdoor Bose sound system and a stone patio off the kitchen.”

This property has 50 feet of water frontage and a 30-ft. dock, in a lovely enclave of cottages and homes on a beautiful piece of Lake Simcoe shoreline, says listing agent Anne Chilton. “It offers the ultimate in accessible waterfront living.”

It’s ideal for anyone looking for a seasonal retreat or a four-season waterfront home in a popular Simcoe County neighbourhood, says co-listing agent Lance Chilton.

Panoramic views can be enjoyed from the 2,207-sq.-ft. backsplit, Ms. Chilton says.

Re/Max Chay RealtyThe open-concept kitchen with its large island and breakfast bar makes it the hub of the cottage.

The hub of the home is the open-concept kitchen/living/dining area. The kitchen has a large island and breakfast bar with granite counters.

The dining area has space for a good-sized table. A screened porch is the perfect place to enjoy meals undisturbed by insects. A powder room and a walk-in pantry are conveniently located off the large foyer.

The master bedroom has a dressing area and a three-piece bathroom with a steam shower.

The lower level can accommodate many people. The inviting family room has a gas fireplace, a floor-to-ceiling stone surround and large windows.

“Access to Highway 11 is close by, which means you can easily reach the amenities of both Barrie and Orillia.”Lake Simcoe83 Lakeshore Rd. E. (Oro-Medonte)Asking price: $635,000Taxes: $5,449 (2013)Bedrooms: 4Bathrooms: 3MLS# 1405447

Kawartha Lakes is finally getting its due. For years the region has been dubbed the “secondary” cottage country (when compared with the more-flashy lifestyle of the Muskoka area).

According to Re/Max’s 2014 Recreational Property Report, while prices in Haliburton have experienced a small decline, property values in areas such as Bobcaygeon have jumped almost 7%; costs are almost on par with those in Muskoka. Entry level cottages run at about $300,000; premium lots now go for $5-million.

Part of the reason for this regional boom is location; it’s two hours from Toronto, accessible by less-travelled roads. Many of the cottages are winterized, so there’s the bonus of having year-round access to outdoor activities, including boating, swimming, ice fishing and snowmobiling.

And then there’s the Kawarthan small-town welcoming vibe. And because local artisans stay true to the area’s roots, cottagers have taken to supporting them with the same verve and vigour as area lifers do. Today, the Kawartha Lakes artisanal community is booming — and with good reason.

Here, we round up some of the area’s creators to look for.

White Dog Studio (above)

Every Kawartha cottage requires at least one piece of glass blown art (it’s a thing in this region), and the man to approach for cool and inventive pieces is Brad Copping. He creates colourful, beautiful and useful everyday objects out of glass. They’re the kind of finds you’d spend a fortune on at Anthropologie. Look to snap up his glasses, water pitchers and candle holders. Fun fact: Mr. Copping was enlisted to create a special Crown Royal XR bottle commemorating the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s Royal Tour of Canada. whitedog@nexicom.net

Al Hasselfeldt (above left)

There’s an abundance of geological materials that are rife for the carving in the Kawarthas, so it makes sense one of the region’s residents would become an exceptional stone carver. Al Hasselfeldt has been using the area’s mica, quartz, pyrite and serpentine in his sculptures for years. His creations are sleek without being cold. al.hass@sympatico.ca

The Kawartha Eclectics (above right)

Between them, Janet McDougall and Sandi McNeil create several kinds of artwork that’s perfect for the cottage: basketry, wire sculptures, pottery and broken-glass mosaics. The items are largely inspired by the natural landscapes of the Kawarthas, including its wildlife, texture and the way the light dances through the area’s many trees. kawarthaeclectics.ca

Alicia Wishart(above)

A lifelong love of animals led Ms. Wishart to create some of the most interesting animal artwork we’ve seen in cottage country. Cheerful and abstract, her mammal prints – from beavers to otters – are full of personality. She also does commission work, if you have a particular pet you’d like to have painted. aliciawishart.com

Buckhorn Canoe Company (below)

Owned and operated by Dick Persson, Buckhorn Canoe Company is the place to go for all your small-craft needs in the Kawartha region. Not only will Mr. Persson and his team build you a custom boat (to suit the size of your lake), they’ll even restore beloved generations-old canoes. buckhorncanoes.com

]]>http://news.nationalpost.com/homes/cottage-cabin/great-lakes-the-kawarthas-and-haliburtons-inspire-cottage-area-artisans/feed0galleryaUnknownaaalanational_rodent_saraha11IMG_3412Fractional cottage ownership: All the fun you can handle, with much less workhttp://news.nationalpost.com/homes/cottage-cabin/fractional-cottage-ownership-all-the-fun-you-can-handle-with-much-less-work
http://news.nationalpost.com/homes/cottage-cabin/fractional-cottage-ownership-all-the-fun-you-can-handle-with-much-less-work#commentsSat, 26 Jul 2014 14:18:21 +0000http://life.nationalpost.com/?p=140819

Shared ownership of vacation properties got a bad rap years ago with timeshares. High-pressure sales tactics and a general lack of regulation turned off potential buyers. But the concept is making a comeback and new models are being developed.

According to Jon Zwickel, CEO of the Vancouver-based Canadian Resort Development Association, studies show vacation homes are typically used 36 days a year by their owners. So for those who don’t want the cost of owning a property that may sit empty 11 months of the year, shared ownership makes sense.

“Why buy a whole pizza if you can really eat only one or two slices?” Mr. Zwickel asks. His organization represents developers of all types of shared-ownership properties, including timeshares and fractionals. One of the main differences, he explains, is the length of time being purchased.

Timeshares have traditionally been a week of use, whereas fractionals range from four to 26 weeks per year. Fractionals usually come with a deed of ownership.

While there are no specific statistics in Canada on timeshares or fractionals, Mr. Zwickel says shared ownership is seeing a resurgence.

One challenge in Canada, however, is that the recession made it hard for Canadian developers to compete with prices in the U.S., which plummeted after the housing crisis in 2008. And, though sales are picking up, the effect of that is still being felt.

In Ontario cottage country, where the price of waterfront property is high, fractional ownership accounts for a small but growing amount of the market.

Dianne Hounsome, developer/manager of The Cottages at Port Stanton, has a unique perspective on recreational developments in Ontario. Her family has been in the Muskokas since Captain Thomas Stanton settled on Sparrow Lake in 1875. She is the fifth generation of the family to be in the area’s tourism business.

Ms. Hounsome started The Cottages, which are connected to the family’s Bayview Wildwood Resort, in 2002. There are 18 fractional-ownership cottages in the first development and four in the second. Owners have use of their cottage for five weeks a year — one week in each season and one in off-season. They can eat meals and use the amenities at Bayview Wildwood. This is typical of most fractional concepts.

The first group was developed as leasehold properties, with leases expiring after 50 years. The four cottages in the second development give owners deed and title. Owners can switch their weeks around among themselves, allow them to be used by friends and family or rent out unused weeks.

When the cottages were developed, listed prices varied according to style of cottage and which summer week was reserved. For three-bedroom detached and semi-detached, prices ranged from $49,000 to $95,000. Maintenance fees run about $3,000 a year.

One often-cited downside of shared ownership is that owners can have a hard time reselling.

It’s an issue Ms. Hounsome has never shied away from. “Value-wise, people won’t get the full amount of what they paid,” she says. “But when we went into it … we said, ‘This is lifestyle product that you’re buying, something you are enjoying as you go along. Don’t think you’re going to get all your money back at the end.’ ”

Someone who paid $75,000 initially might expect to sell for around $50,000, she says, adding that owners have been able to find buyers for resales at her development. Other larger and more luxurious fractionals will see different results, of course.

Inde Sumal, vice-president of Residential Mortgages, B.C., at Royal Bank, says shared-ownership provides a cost-effective entry into the recreational property market and is especially good for people who want limited use because they don’t have to pay a full year of taxes and upkeep.

He says the rental-pool-restricted-use model, where owners put part of their time into a rental pool and share in the proceeds, is gaining in popularity and has become the easiest type of shared-ownership property to resell.
It’s important for people to use lawyers and real estate agents experienced in the recreational market when buying a shared-ownership property, he says. And to be realistic about how much time they plan to use it.

“People are well-intentioned,” he says. “They fall in love with an area and they say, ‘This is it for me. This is where I’m going to come all the time.’ And they don’t. My advice is to go in at a lower level and determine if you need to use it more and then you can always purchase up.”

No furnace? No foundation? When it comes to buying a cottage, that could mean no financing.
City dwellers are beginning to think of ducks and docks as a respite from concrete and congestion. But unless you have the cash on hand, it’s important to understand mortgage options before you start looking for your slice of paradise.
“We like to make sure clients are fully educated so they’re not wasting their time,” says Jeremy Ridley, a Barrie, Ont.-based senior residential mortgage specialist at RBC Royal Bank. “Also that they don’t fall in love with a property that can’t be mortgaged within their means.” Preapproval is especially important, he adds, because of huge variances in location and the types of properties that are available.
RBC divides the cottage world into two categories that define financing options. “Vacation A” properties are those with permanent foundations (installed below the frost line), year-round access, a permanent heat source and potable water, whether it be from municipal services, a well or treated lake water. These properties are zoned residential and are for personal use.
“Basically, what insurers and banks want to know is that that house can sustain itself if no one is around for weeks or months at a time,” Mr. Ridley says. “In the winter, you can leave the water on and set the heat at 15 degrees. Also, because it has a permanent foundation, you’re not going to have every animal and the dog going to live under the house.” Maintained roads are also important so the property can be accessed year-round.
Qualifying for a Vacation A is similar to qualifying for a principle residence, he says. This is true even though CMHC, which provides mortgage default insurance for home buyers who put down less than 20%, no longer insures second homes. Buyers won’t notice the difference for Vacation A properties because the two big private mortgage insurers — Genworth Canada and Canada Guaranty — continue to provide the insurance.
Instead of using CMHC for approvals, Mr. Ridley says, “we’ll toggle over to the other two, so I think it’s going to be business as usual.”

Fotolia

But cottage hunters who want more of a wilderness experience will likely find it harder to find financing through a bank. RBC calls them “Vacation B” properties, those with wood stoves or fireplaces, sitting on blocks or piers, having only seasonal access, or no potable water source.
For Vacation Bs, amortization is capped at 25 years and the bank requires a down payment of at least 35% in order to avoid the added cost of mortgage insurance. Genworth will provide mortgage insurance for these types of properties with at least 10% down. Canada Guaranty, however, does not have the Vacation B program.
“Vacation B properties are not a sought-after thing for banks to mortgage,” Mr. Ridley says.
This is good news for alternative lender professionals such as Matthew Robinson, a mortgage expert with roots in the Land O’ Lakes region northeast of Toronto.
His father, Wayne, started Pillar Financial Services 30 years ago after a business partner couldn’t get a mortgage to buy a house because it was considered a rural property. “He had a good job but just because the house wasn’t on a sewer system he didn’t qualify,” says Matthew Robinson, now executive vice-president of Pillar, which administers Frontenac Mortgage Investment Corp., a $150-million portfolio of private mortgage capital.
Things have changed in the past 30 years, of course, but the fact remains that Schedule 1 banks are still more rule-bound and less flexible, meaning there is room for companies such as Pillar to fill the gap.
Cottages off the beaten path or in less-than-prime condition don’t bother Mr. Robinson. A borrower’s self-employment or blemished credit record is also something the company can be more flexible with.
“At the end of the day, it’s all about evaluating the risk,” he says. “If you tell us why you didn’t qualify and we’re comfortable with it, [we] can price it, at a higher rate.” Or a buyer might be asked to put more money down.
If you have good credit, but a property doesn’t fit in the comfort zone of the banks, a mortgage loan through Pillar might cost 6% to 7%. If you have credit problems, it may cost you 10%. Construction loans, an area where Pillar also specializes, are in the neighbourhood of 12%.
Looking at the view from his Sharbot Lake office about an hour north of Kingston, Mr. Robinson notes that lakefront lots that went for $20,000 to $30,000 when he started in the business years ago are now selling for $150,000. But the region is still considered a relatively affordable place to buy a cottage.
Land O’ Lakes — there are about 5,000 of them stretching north and east of Kingston — is becoming more popular as an alternative to Muskoka.
“You can still get a basic cottage here for $250,000,” Mr. Robinson says. “The average is about $300,000, and $500,000 will get you something spectacular. If you were on Lake Joseph [in the Muskokas] you wouldn’t even get a lot for that.”
Some people, he adds, “still want to have that creaky door instead of a monster home. Just a cottage. A place to go fishing with the kids.”

After watching Algonquin, Jonathan Hayes’ new indie Canadian drama set in Algonquin Park, we have the itch to be outdoorsy, even if it’s just in the city. And if there’s anything that Colin and Justin’s Cabin Pressure has taught us it’s that cottage life is a state of mind. Though preferably, also a place to be invited. Here are a few of our favourite touches.

HBC Handout

The iconic multistripe and blanket point now comes on cherry wood paddles ($225) but what we’re really dreaming of is total indolence, thanks to the woven Hammock-in-a-Bag ($50 at select Hudson’s Bay, thebay.com)

HandoutRifles is an adaptation by Nicolas Billon of Senora Carrar’s Rifles, a lesser-known play by Bertolt Brecht set in the Spanish Civil War

Lobster buoys in the East Coast tradition, handcrafted from reclaimed cedar by Doris Dyson at Rocking Horse Past, inspired by her own Lake Belwood cottage life, make both good decor doorstops ($18 at rockinghorsepast.com)

Graffiti, just like back in town! Inner City birds house by N Product of Ottawa (from $85, n-product.com)

The Syrian Embassy in Ottawa has been splashed with what appears to be red paintOTTAWA— The Syrian Embassy in Ottawa was splashed with what appears to be red paint on Saturday.
Protesters held a demonstration in front of the embassy, located in midtown Ottawa, about 10 blocks from Parliament Hill — Saturday morning to commemorate the 1982 Hama Massacre, an uprising in which thousands died, and the events that took place Friday in the Syrian city of Homs.
A large quantity of red paint covered the embassy door, mailbox, gates and canopy of the embassy’s main entrance Saturday afternoon. The gates to the embassy were locked and nobody was available to speak about the incident.
A side entrance, reserved for consular use, was untouched by vandals.
The vandalism was questioned by numerous passersby, many of whom were heading to the Rideau Canal for an outdoor skate.
One young boy said it looked like a “scary house,” while another woman said the scene looked like a “bloodbath.”
An RCMP officer at the scene to photograph the vandalism would not comment on the situation.
On Friday, Syrian forces killed more than 200 people in an assault on Homs, activists said, the bloodiest day of an 11-month uprising giving sudden urgency to a push for a United Nations resolution calling for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to cede power.
On Saturday, Russia and China vetoed the Security Council resolution.
<em>With files from Agence France-Presse</em>

Active people, GTA commuters, professional hockey players and celebrities are among the potential buyers who will enjoy this waterfront estate on prestigious Ridge Road, says listing agent Michael Constable of Sotheby’s International Realty Canada. “You can land a helicopter on the lawn. The owners have.”

Making the approach by air, owners and visitors alike can appreciate the property’s setting and the features of the multi-level lot.
“Having the home perched up from the water provides spectacular panoramic views. Even the pool deck has a great view of the lake, but it is very private as a result of creative landscaping that includes stone walls and large spruce trees,” says Mr. Constable, who has listed the property with Shelley Constable. “When you want to use the waterfront, you can walk or [take a golf] cart down the road to the lake.”

The property has 200 feet of water frontage, a dock and a variety of seating areas offering different vantage points.
The house is set on manicured lawns. A stone waterfall stands prominently beside the free-form pool, which has a patterned concrete deck. An outdoor kitchen is roofed to protect the cook and diners from sun or rain.

The 6,300-sq.-ft. rustic post-and-beam home was built in 2001 by the builder for his own use. It features an open-concept design, cathedral ceilings and walls of windows. The current owners have since spent “a considerable amount of money in upgrades,” including finishing the lower level, landscaping and adding the pool and outdoor kitchen, Mr. Constable says.

The family room has a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace and a walkout to the pool. A private nanny’s suite, a separate dining room, a main-floor laundry room and hardwood and ceramic floors are other highlights.

The house offers unobstructed views across Kempenfelt Bay. “It’s one of the area’s most desirable southern-exposed shorelines,” he says. “Why own a home and a cottage? This property can double as both. There is great boating as Lake Simcoe is part of the Trent Waterway System, giving you access to Georgian Bay, the Kawarthas and beyond.”

Fishing, windsurfing, kite boarding and ice sailing are popular activities. The home is also close to major ski resorts, including Horseshoe Valley and Mount St. Louis, and cross-country skiing and mountain biking at Hardwood Hills, he says. In addition, “there is a bike trail around Kempenfelt Bay up to Orillia.”

The property has all the conveniences of city living (downtown Barrie is about five minutes away) and yet you feel like you’re in the heart of cottage country, Mr. Constable says. “The surrounding homes along the shoreline are all in the $4-million range and higher.”

Active people, GTA commuters, professional hockey players and celebrities are among the potential buyers who will enjoy this waterfront estate on prestigious Ridge Road, says listing agent Michael Constable of Sotheby’s International Realty Canada. “You can land a helicopter on the lawn. The owners have.”

Making the approach by air, owners and visitors alike can appreciate the property’s setting and the features of the multi-level lot.
“Having the home perched up from the water provides spectacular panoramic views. Even the pool deck has a great view of the lake, but it is very private as a result of creative landscaping that includes stone walls and large spruce trees,” says Mr. Constable, who has listed the property with Shelley Constable. “When you want to use the waterfront, you can walk or [take a golf] cart down the road to the lake.”

The property has 200 feet of water frontage, a dock and a variety of seating areas offering different vantage points.
The house is set on manicured lawns. A stone waterfall stands prominently beside the free-form pool, which has a patterned concrete deck. An outdoor kitchen is roofed to protect the cook and diners from sun or rain.

The 6,300-sq.-ft. rustic post-and-beam home was built in 2001 by the builder for his own use. It features an open-concept design, cathedral ceilings and walls of windows. The current owners have since spent “a considerable amount of money in upgrades,” including finishing the lower level, landscaping and adding the pool and outdoor kitchen, Mr. Constable says.

The family room has a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace and a walkout to the pool. A private nanny’s suite, a separate dining room, a main-floor laundry room and hardwood and ceramic floors are other highlights.

The house offers unobstructed views across Kempenfelt Bay. “It’s one of the area’s most desirable southern-exposed shorelines,” he says. “Why own a home and a cottage? This property can double as both. There is great boating as Lake Simcoe is part of the Trent Waterway System, giving you access to Georgian Bay, the Kawarthas and beyond.”

Fishing, windsurfing, kite boarding and ice sailing are popular activities. The home is also close to major ski resorts, including Horseshoe Valley and Mount St. Louis, and cross-country skiing and mountain biking at Hardwood Hills, he says. In addition, “there is a bike trail around Kempenfelt Bay up to Orillia.”

The property has all the conveniences of city living (downtown Barrie is about five minutes away) and yet you feel like you’re in the heart of cottage country, Mr. Constable says. “The surrounding homes along the shoreline are all in the $4-million range and higher.”

]]>http://news.nationalpost.com/homes/cottage-cabin/for-sale-a-pool-with-a-view/feed0stdsimcoeA forest for rest: Needing a respite from the world of busy urban architecture, they designed their own treetop chalethttp://news.nationalpost.com/homes/cottage-cabin/a-forest-for-rest-needing-a-respite-from-the-world-of-busy-urban-architecture-they-designed-their-own-treetop-chalet
http://news.nationalpost.com/homes/cottage-cabin/a-forest-for-rest-needing-a-respite-from-the-world-of-busy-urban-architecture-they-designed-their-own-treetop-chalet#commentsFri, 31 Jan 2014 21:19:41 +0000http://life.nationalpost.com/?p=131685

Maureen O’Shaughnessy describes the 2,435-sq.-ft chalet she and her husband, Peter Ortved, designed as having been inspired by the youthful fun of a treehouse. “It’s a weekend retreat that we can use year-round,” she says. “This has been a labour of love that lets us escape from our work lives in the city and lets us share the four-season activities in the Collingwood area with our family and friends.”

This couple knows how to plan buildings that are on a grand scale. As architects and principals in the award-winning Toronto firm of CS&P Architects, their work is focused on the design of multi-million dollar public spaces, including universities, civic centres and police services headquarters.

“We don’t pursue custom residential work in our office,” Mr. Ortved says. We have done a few of those projects over the years, though they’ve tended to be for close friends and are one-offs, so there’s not much typical about them.”

The expulsions apparently came after charges were laid against a Canadian military intelligence officer in Halifax, accused of passing protected government information to an un-named foreign entityOTTAWA — Two Russian diplomats reportedly expelled from Canada in connection with an espionage case against a Canadian naval officer were at the end of their terms and scheduled to leave weeks and months before the charges were laid, Postmedia has learned.
Lt.-Col. Dmitry Fedorchatenko was seen off by fellow defence attaches in early November after nearly three years in Ottawa, while political attache Konstantin Kolpakov left Canada at the end of December after nearly five years in Canada.
Media reports said their names and two other Russian embassy administrative and technical staff members, Mikhail Nikiforov and Tatiana Steklova, were dropped from the Department of Foreign Affairs’ list of foreign representatives officially recognized by Canada on Jan. 19.
[np-related]
The Conservative government has refused to comment, citing national security, but a Russian embassy official denied the four had been expelled, telling the Globe and Mail they had left Ottawa after coming to the end of their postings.
Russia denied Canada had expelled four of their, saying the envoys had left at the end of their postings.
"We are surprised by reports in the Canadian press about the expulsion of Russian diplomats since they left the country in 2011 after completing their postings," the Russian foreign ministry said on its official Twitter blog.
Sub-Lt. Jeffrey Paul Delisle was charged this week under the Security of Information Act. He’s the first person charged under a new secrecy law enacted after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
Delisle is accused of giving “a foreign entity” secret information between July 6, 2007 and Jan 13, 2012.
He was arrested in Halifax and will stay in jail until his next hearing on Jan 25. Convictions under the security act carry a maximum penalty of life in prison.
The Conservative government has had poor relations with Moscow since it took power in 2006, complaining about “increasingly aggressive Russian actions around the globe” and reconnaissance flights which approach Canadian airspace.
The two countries are jostling for influence in the mineral-rich Arctic.

Completed in 2012, their Collingwood-area chalet is itself one of a kind, the first such project the couple has worked on together, and intended to reflect the region’s spirit with its forested pines and peaks. The site was chosen because of its proximity to the couple’s favourite winter haunt, the Osler Bluff Ski Club.

The house consists of two sheds of identical width with gable ends, connected by a two-level glass-enclosed bridge linking the two wings of the house. The end walls of the sheds are transparent, filled with glass. “They face east and west to the rising and setting sun and into the treetops,” he says. “From inside at the second level, the space has the character of a treehouse.”

Designed to accommodate an open plan second-level living space and bedroom with large areas of double-glazed (‘low E’ glass windows, 11 feet high by an expanse of 19 feet) to capture natural light and unhindered views of the wooded landscape, the building — its form, structure and materials, including steel and wood exterior sidings — were kept simple and limited. Flooring on the lower floor is stained concrete and the upper floors are recycled hemlock barn siding.

A large cedar deck spans the width of the house at the rear, looking into the trees and down to the creek. Large sliding glass doors in all the rooms provide access to the deck and allow for ample through-ventilation. The at-grade lower level includes the family room and two guest bedrooms below the living area.

Upper-level ceilings are made of rough-sawn cedar; the lighting utilizes low-voltage halogen fixtures, which indirectly illuminate the high ceilings. Because of the large windows, lights are not needed in daytime; the wood ceilings and floors take on a warm golden glow in the evenings, even in the deep winter. “From outside, the twinkle of the small light fixtures through the glass gives the house the appearance of a jewel box,” Ms. O’Shaughnessy says.

Located in the middle of the living/dining room area, the two-sided wood-burning fireplace is of European design, clad in Corten steel (its rusted finish is not easily marked; it is also used as a complementary accent elsewhere, such as the front door). “The fireplace provides supplemental heat to the space and it functions beautifully,” Mr. Ortved says.

The structure is heated entirely with an in-floor, gas-fired, radiant system. The window orientation, through-ventilation, solar-reflective blinds and surrounding trees afford adequate temperature control in hot weather, eliminating the need for air conditioning. The radiant heating is very even and consistent, Mr. Ortved says. “The heat is where the people are and the floors are warm and comfortable throughout. Its cost is comparable to other systems.”

From outside, the twinkle of the small light fixtures through the glass gives the house the appearance of a jewel box

A small green roof was installed on the canopy over the front entrance, serving as a colourful garden view from the upper bridge level. Comprised of a mix of plant types, primarily sedums, provided as a pre-planted component system by a company called LiveRoof, this green roof requires no maintenance or irrigation. “It lends a natural touch to the canopy and we see a variety of colours and flowers at various seasons,” Ms. O’Shaughnessy says. Maintaining the natural setting was a primary consideration in the landscape design; they used boulders from the lot, as well as flagstone walks, wood-chip mulches and native shrubs and trees (mostly cedar, sumac and dogwood) to infill around the house.

A mix of new-growth coniferous and deciduous trees covered the site when the couple purchased this half-acre lot, which backs on to a slope leading down to a small creek and walking trail. The lot was cleared in the centre, allowing just enough space to build the house, but remaining trees were left undisturbed to provide natural views
and privacy.

Were any special permits required to construct on this pristine lot? “No problems getting a municipal building permit,” Mr. Ortved says. “The Ski Club also had a design review and approval process, the rules were clear and we conformed to them — building size and height limits, setbacks, exterior materials.”

“We enjoy everything Collingwood has to offer — skiing, snowshoeing in the winter, and golf, tennis, cycling, hiking in the warm weather,” Ms. O’Shaughnessy says. But it’s the forest outside their front window that tells the story of this home. “Like living in the treetops,” she says.

]]>http://news.nationalpost.com/homes/cottage-cabin/a-forest-for-rest-needing-a-respite-from-the-world-of-busy-urban-architecture-they-designed-their-own-treetop-chalet/feed0std1237-015.jpgCS&P ArchitectsA forest for rest: Needing a respite from the world of busy urban architecture, they designed their own treetop chalethttp://news.nationalpost.com/homes/cottage-cabin/a-forest-for-rest-needing-a-respite-from-the-world-of-busy-urban-architecture-they-designed-their-own-treetop-chalet-2
http://news.nationalpost.com/homes/cottage-cabin/a-forest-for-rest-needing-a-respite-from-the-world-of-busy-urban-architecture-they-designed-their-own-treetop-chalet-2#commentsFri, 31 Jan 2014 21:19:41 +0000http://life.nationalpost.com/?p=131685

Maureen O’Shaughnessy describes the 2,435-sq.-ft chalet she and her husband, Peter Ortved, designed as having been inspired by the youthful fun of a treehouse. “It’s a weekend retreat that we can use year-round,” she says. “This has been a labour of love that lets us escape from our work lives in the city and lets us share the four-season activities in the Collingwood area with our family and friends.”

This couple knows how to plan buildings that are on a grand scale. As architects and principals in the award-winning Toronto firm of CS&P Architects, their work is focused on the design of multi-million dollar public spaces, including universities, civic centres and police services headquarters.

“We don’t pursue custom residential work in our office,” Mr. Ortved says. We have done a few of those projects over the years, though they’ve tended to be for close friends and are one-offs, so there’s not much typical about them.”

The expulsions apparently came after charges were laid against a Canadian military intelligence officer in Halifax, accused of passing protected government information to an un-named foreign entityOTTAWA — Two Russian diplomats reportedly expelled from Canada in connection with an espionage case against a Canadian naval officer were at the end of their terms and scheduled to leave weeks and months before the charges were laid, Postmedia has learned.
Lt.-Col. Dmitry Fedorchatenko was seen off by fellow defence attaches in early November after nearly three years in Ottawa, while political attache Konstantin Kolpakov left Canada at the end of December after nearly five years in Canada.
Media reports said their names and two other Russian embassy administrative and technical staff members, Mikhail Nikiforov and Tatiana Steklova, were dropped from the Department of Foreign Affairs’ list of foreign representatives officially recognized by Canada on Jan. 19.
[np-related]
The Conservative government has refused to comment, citing national security, but a Russian embassy official denied the four had been expelled, telling the Globe and Mail they had left Ottawa after coming to the end of their postings.
Russia denied Canada had expelled four of their, saying the envoys had left at the end of their postings.
"We are surprised by reports in the Canadian press about the expulsion of Russian diplomats since they left the country in 2011 after completing their postings," the Russian foreign ministry said on its official Twitter blog.
Sub-Lt. Jeffrey Paul Delisle was charged this week under the Security of Information Act. He’s the first person charged under a new secrecy law enacted after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
Delisle is accused of giving “a foreign entity” secret information between July 6, 2007 and Jan 13, 2012.
He was arrested in Halifax and will stay in jail until his next hearing on Jan 25. Convictions under the security act carry a maximum penalty of life in prison.
The Conservative government has had poor relations with Moscow since it took power in 2006, complaining about “increasingly aggressive Russian actions around the globe” and reconnaissance flights which approach Canadian airspace.
The two countries are jostling for influence in the mineral-rich Arctic.

Completed in 2012, their Collingwood-area chalet is itself one of a kind, the first such project the couple has worked on together, and intended to reflect the region’s spirit with its forested pines and peaks. The site was chosen because of its proximity to the couple’s favourite winter haunt, the Osler Bluff Ski Club.

The house consists of two sheds of identical width with gable ends, connected by a two-level glass-enclosed bridge linking the two wings of the house. The end walls of the sheds are transparent, filled with glass. “They face east and west to the rising and setting sun and into the treetops,” he says. “From inside at the second level, the space has the character of a treehouse.”

Designed to accommodate an open plan second-level living space and bedroom with large areas of double-glazed (‘low E’ glass windows, 11 feet high by an expanse of 19 feet) to capture natural light and unhindered views of the wooded landscape, the building — its form, structure and materials, including steel and wood exterior sidings — were kept simple and limited. Flooring on the lower floor is stained concrete and the upper floors are recycled hemlock barn siding.

A large cedar deck spans the width of the house at the rear, looking into the trees and down to the creek. Large sliding glass doors in all the rooms provide access to the deck and allow for ample through-ventilation. The at-grade lower level includes the family room and two guest bedrooms below the living area.

Upper-level ceilings are made of rough-sawn cedar; the lighting utilizes low-voltage halogen fixtures, which indirectly illuminate the high ceilings. Because of the large windows, lights are not needed in daytime; the wood ceilings and floors take on a warm golden glow in the evenings, even in the deep winter. “From outside, the twinkle of the small light fixtures through the glass gives the house the appearance of a jewel box,” Ms. O’Shaughnessy says.

Located in the middle of the living/dining room area, the two-sided wood-burning fireplace is of European design, clad in Corten steel (its rusted finish is not easily marked; it is also used as a complementary accent elsewhere, such as the front door). “The fireplace provides supplemental heat to the space and it functions beautifully,” Mr. Ortved says.

The structure is heated entirely with an in-floor, gas-fired, radiant system. The window orientation, through-ventilation, solar-reflective blinds and surrounding trees afford adequate temperature control in hot weather, eliminating the need for air conditioning. The radiant heating is very even and consistent, Mr. Ortved says. “The heat is where the people are and the floors are warm and comfortable throughout. Its cost is comparable to other systems.”

From outside, the twinkle of the small light fixtures through the glass gives the house the appearance of a jewel box

A small green roof was installed on the canopy over the front entrance, serving as a colourful garden view from the upper bridge level. Comprised of a mix of plant types, primarily sedums, provided as a pre-planted component system by a company called LiveRoof, this green roof requires no maintenance or irrigation. “It lends a natural touch to the canopy and we see a variety of colours and flowers at various seasons,” Ms. O’Shaughnessy says. Maintaining the natural setting was a primary consideration in the landscape design; they used boulders from the lot, as well as flagstone walks, wood-chip mulches and native shrubs and trees (mostly cedar, sumac and dogwood) to infill around the house.

A mix of new-growth coniferous and deciduous trees covered the site when the couple purchased this half-acre lot, which backs on to a slope leading down to a small creek and walking trail. The lot was cleared in the centre, allowing just enough space to build the house, but remaining trees were left undisturbed to provide natural views
and privacy.

Were any special permits required to construct on this pristine lot? “No problems getting a municipal building permit,” Mr. Ortved says. “The Ski Club also had a design review and approval process, the rules were clear and we conformed to them — building size and height limits, setbacks, exterior materials.”

“We enjoy everything Collingwood has to offer — skiing, snowshoeing in the winter, and golf, tennis, cycling, hiking in the warm weather,” Ms. O’Shaughnessy says. But it’s the forest outside their front window that tells the story of this home. “Like living in the treetops,” she says.

Near Hidden Valley Highlands ski area and Deerhurst Lakeside golf course, TreeTops will have 13 intimate condominium buildings, nestled in the landscape. Phase One has four buildings totalling 30 units.

Listing agent Sally Warner describes this listing as “a home fit for a king,” and that is no understatement, as Prince Charles and his sons William and Harry vacationed in this four-bedroom property in Whistler’s exclusive Blueberry Hill neighbourhood in 1998.

The reasons they chose this particular home? “It has spectacular views and is totally private,” Ms. Warner says. Those views epitomize the grandeur of Whistler with soaring mountain vistas framed by myriad lush pine trees.

Hundreds of Canadians are missing out on early treatment for dementia that could improve their ability to deal with the disease, says a new study by the Alzheimer Society of Canada.<strong>By Sheila Dabu Nonato</strong>
OTTAWA — Hundreds of Canadians are missing out on early treatment for dementia that could improve their ability to deal with the disease, says a new study by the Alzheimer Society of Canada.
According to the study, almost half of Canadians surveyed (44%) lived a year or more with their symptoms without seeing a doctor. Also, 16% of this group waited more than two years.
“A delayed diagnosis results in a huge treatment gap and prevents people from getting valuable information about medications, support and better disease management,” the study said.<!--more-->
The online survey was conducted in October 2011 including 958 Canadian caregivers of people living with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia.
[np-related]
The Alzheimer Society of Canada estimates 1.1 million Canadians will be affected by the brain disorder in the next 25 years.
In the study, 53% of respondents said the most common reason for the delay was the belief that the symptoms were just part of “old age.”
Thirty-nine per cent didn’t take the symptoms seriously enough or thought they were episodic. Also, 29% said their family member refused to see a doctor.
Meanwhile, three-quarters of respondents said they wished they had sought earlier diagnosis and had access to treatments.
Mary Schulz, the Alzheimer society’s education director, pointed out the “myth” that once a person receives a diagnosis of dementia, their lives will change right away.
Although Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia are “fatal illnesses” without a cure, Schulz said people living with the disease still live “meaningful, significant lives.”
For some, they continue to live their lives as before while others experience changes, she added.
Schulz said it’s important to get the word out about thoroughly investigating dementia: “If you are aware of the disease, you can plan for the future, make your wishes known, get your house in order, so to speak, and take advantage of the pharmacological and non-pharmacological ways to deal with the disease.”
In the study, three-quarters of caregivers said they wished they had acted upon early diagnosis sooner, with 24% saying they would have preferred “to give (the) patient medication to minimize the symptoms.” Thirteen per cent said early diagnosis could have given the family more time to prepare, accept, get support or have more time to plan for future care.
Among the most common early symptoms reported in the study were frequent memory loss (75%), disorientation of time and place (65%) and changes in personality (64%).
<em>Postmedia News</em>

The house was built in 1996 on a private 10,689-square-foot property within walking distance to Whistler Village, Alta Lake and Whistler Golf Course. The interior layout has been designed to maximize the views with vaulted ceilings, transom windows, French doors and overheight expansive window walls, both to showcase the view and to create a verdant backdrop for interior furnishings. The ceiling beams add a rustic element and contrast with the modern touches of the recessed and pendant light fixtures and the smart white detailed moulding and matching trim.

Gleaming hardwood floors throughout unite the principal reception rooms. After skiing or golfing, or enjoying any of the countless recreational activities for which Whistler is renowned, the formal great room offers a striking carved stone fireplace provides an enticing place to relax with a glass of wine — or there’s the option of gulping some more of that clean fresh air on one of the decks.

Director Jennifer Baichwal and photographer Edward Burtynsky last teamed up for the sublime 2006 documentary Manufactured Landscapes. They share directing credits on their newest, WatermarkDirector Jennifer Baichwal and photographer Edward Burtynsky last teamed up for the sublime 2006 documentary <em>Manufactured Landscapes</em>. They share directing credits on their newest, <em>Watermark</em>, which documents our species’ reverence for and relationship with the life-giving liquid. Taking a more sinister perspective, the Midnight Madness program continues with Marvin Kren’s <em>Blutgletscher</em> (<em>The Station</em>), a cautionary horror tale in which a melting glacier in the German Alps unleashes a mysterious substance that causes frightening mutations in the local wildlife.
<strong><em>Watermark screens:</em></strong>
<em> Sept. 6, 7 p.m., Lightbox 1</em>
<em>Sept. 8, 9 a.m., Scotiabank 13</em>

The spacious kitchen has abundant counter and cabinet space as well as stainless-steel appliances and plenty of room for a centre island, all of which ensure that catering for family members or an influx of friends is easy.

Another highlight of the home is the large patio, which provides the perfect venue for sitting back and admiring the meticulously landscaped (and irrigated) yard, home to native flora and fauna that absolutely thrive in this Pacific Coast climate.

“This is a wonderful family home,” the sellers say, “perfect for entertaining … nestled in a unique, private hideaway. For the past 13 years, it’s been the anchor for our far-flung family, providing memorable times in all four seasons.”

Listing agent Sally Warner describes this listing as “a home fit for a king,” and that is no understatement, as Prince Charles and his sons William and Harry vacationed in this four-bedroom property in Whistler’s exclusive Blueberry Hill neighbourhood in 1998.

The reasons they chose this particular home? “It has spectacular views and is totally private,” Ms. Warner says. Those views epitomize the grandeur of Whistler with soaring mountain vistas framed by myriad lush pine trees.

Hundreds of Canadians are missing out on early treatment for dementia that could improve their ability to deal with the disease, says a new study by the Alzheimer Society of Canada.<strong>By Sheila Dabu Nonato</strong>
OTTAWA — Hundreds of Canadians are missing out on early treatment for dementia that could improve their ability to deal with the disease, says a new study by the Alzheimer Society of Canada.
According to the study, almost half of Canadians surveyed (44%) lived a year or more with their symptoms without seeing a doctor. Also, 16% of this group waited more than two years.
“A delayed diagnosis results in a huge treatment gap and prevents people from getting valuable information about medications, support and better disease management,” the study said.<!--more-->
The online survey was conducted in October 2011 including 958 Canadian caregivers of people living with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia.
[np-related]
The Alzheimer Society of Canada estimates 1.1 million Canadians will be affected by the brain disorder in the next 25 years.
In the study, 53% of respondents said the most common reason for the delay was the belief that the symptoms were just part of “old age.”
Thirty-nine per cent didn’t take the symptoms seriously enough or thought they were episodic. Also, 29% said their family member refused to see a doctor.
Meanwhile, three-quarters of respondents said they wished they had sought earlier diagnosis and had access to treatments.
Mary Schulz, the Alzheimer society’s education director, pointed out the “myth” that once a person receives a diagnosis of dementia, their lives will change right away.
Although Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia are “fatal illnesses” without a cure, Schulz said people living with the disease still live “meaningful, significant lives.”
For some, they continue to live their lives as before while others experience changes, she added.
Schulz said it’s important to get the word out about thoroughly investigating dementia: “If you are aware of the disease, you can plan for the future, make your wishes known, get your house in order, so to speak, and take advantage of the pharmacological and non-pharmacological ways to deal with the disease.”
In the study, three-quarters of caregivers said they wished they had acted upon early diagnosis sooner, with 24% saying they would have preferred “to give (the) patient medication to minimize the symptoms.” Thirteen per cent said early diagnosis could have given the family more time to prepare, accept, get support or have more time to plan for future care.
Among the most common early symptoms reported in the study were frequent memory loss (75%), disorientation of time and place (65%) and changes in personality (64%).
<em>Postmedia News</em>

The house was built in 1996 on a private 10,689-square-foot property within walking distance to Whistler Village, Alta Lake and Whistler Golf Course. The interior layout has been designed to maximize the views with vaulted ceilings, transom windows, French doors and overheight expansive window walls, both to showcase the view and to create a verdant backdrop for interior furnishings. The ceiling beams add a rustic element and contrast with the modern touches of the recessed and pendant light fixtures and the smart white detailed moulding and matching trim.

Gleaming hardwood floors throughout unite the principal reception rooms. After skiing or golfing, or enjoying any of the countless recreational activities for which Whistler is renowned, the formal great room offers a striking carved stone fireplace provides an enticing place to relax with a glass of wine — or there’s the option of gulping some more of that clean fresh air on one of the decks.

Director Jennifer Baichwal and photographer Edward Burtynsky last teamed up for the sublime 2006 documentary Manufactured Landscapes. They share directing credits on their newest, WatermarkDirector Jennifer Baichwal and photographer Edward Burtynsky last teamed up for the sublime 2006 documentary <em>Manufactured Landscapes</em>. They share directing credits on their newest, <em>Watermark</em>, which documents our species’ reverence for and relationship with the life-giving liquid. Taking a more sinister perspective, the Midnight Madness program continues with Marvin Kren’s <em>Blutgletscher</em> (<em>The Station</em>), a cautionary horror tale in which a melting glacier in the German Alps unleashes a mysterious substance that causes frightening mutations in the local wildlife.
<strong><em>Watermark screens:</em></strong>
<em> Sept. 6, 7 p.m., Lightbox 1</em>
<em>Sept. 8, 9 a.m., Scotiabank 13</em>

The spacious kitchen has abundant counter and cabinet space as well as stainless-steel appliances and plenty of room for a centre island, all of which ensure that catering for family members or an influx of friends is easy.

Another highlight of the home is the large patio, which provides the perfect venue for sitting back and admiring the meticulously landscaped (and irrigated) yard, home to native flora and fauna that absolutely thrive in this Pacific Coast climate.

“This is a wonderful family home,” the sellers say, “perfect for entertaining … nestled in a unique, private hideaway. For the past 13 years, it’s been the anchor for our far-flung family, providing memorable times in all four seasons.”

Whistler Blackcomb Resort wins accolades year after year as not just a winter recreation destination with world-class skiing and snowboarding but for the quality of its restaurants and bars, accommodation, customer service and other activities. It is not widely known that it was fishing that first drew tourists to Whistler — specifically to Rainbow Lodge on Alta Lake — to cast for trout. By the early 1920s, London Mountain, as it was then called, had made a name for itself as the most popular summer destination west of the Rockies. Fast forward almost a century, and as well as a name change, and now there are myriad recreational activities added to the list that visitors and residents can enjoy.

Described by listing agent Sally Warner as “beautifully renovated and tastefully furnished,” this slopeside condo on Blackcomb Mountain enjoys the essence of Whistler living — a ski-in/ski-out location which, the sellers say, allows you to “change in your home, step out the front door, ski down to the Wizard Express, and then ski home for lunch.”

Jim Young / ReutersRepublican presidential candidate, U.S. Representative Ron Paul makes a point as former U.S. Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich (L) listens during the Republican Party presidential candidates debate in Sioux City, Iowa, December 15, 2011

This spectacular penthouse suite is situated in Greystone Lodge — a 50-unit apartment complex that is smaller than most of the properties on Blackcomb, allowing for greater privacy, less noise and less intensive use of the facilities, which include indoor and outdoor hot tubs, a heated swimming pool and change rooms. Owners enjoy a private secure storage area in the underground garage as well as two ski lockers and secure common bike storage.

The two-bedroom-plus-loft home has the potential to gross at least $50,000 with the optional rental program. The interior epitomizes the quintessential mountain retreat with vaulted ceilings, heated slate floors, mountain views, plenty of natural light from the southern exposure, granite countertops, stainless-steel appliances and a cozy gas fireplace. The 1,182-square-foot interior has wood accents throughout, including matching window, door and baseboard trim, as well as a staircase with glass railings that leads to the loft bedroom. The open-concept design allows the kitchen to easily cater for family and friends as it overlooks the dining area and living room, while a breakfast bar provides additional seating.

Re/Max Sea to SkyThe buildings consists of just 50 condominium units, allowing for a quieter, friendlier second home.

For relaxing after a tiring day on the slopes, or playing on one of the four championship-designed golf courses, a well-deserved rest spot can be found outside the sliding doors that lead to a balcony with plenty of room for reclining chairs.

This four-season beach home enjoys a prime Southampton location, a sand beach, a deck and year-round access.

Totally renovated within the past four years, the 2,200-square-foot home combines “elegance with casual areas for great entertaining,” says listing agent Harold Fenlon. “Top-quality features are evident throughout.”

The living room has a gas fireplace and windows offering a panoramic view of Lake Huron.

The executive home also has pine floors, four bedrooms plus a family room/den on the main level, two full bathrooms, a gourmet kitchen and a main-floor laundry room.

Most furnishings are negotiable.

The professionally landscaped property has 44 feet of waterfrontage and a hot tub.

The property has 330 feet of water frontage and includes a main house, a 1,200-square-foot guest house and a four-car garage. A tennis court, a pool, a change house and a gazebo are other features.

The main house and guest house have stone exteriors and slate roofs. “Views from entertaining areas and bedrooms offer wonderful lake vistas,” Ms. Kopman says.

The Cape Cod-style main house has approximately 8,500 square feet of living space on two levels plus a 2,986-sq.-ft. lower level.

The foyer has a double closet and the library has a vaulted ceiling, a fireplace and a walkout to a garden. A moulded ceiling, a centre island, a breakfast area and a fireplace are features of the open-concept country kitchen.

The combination dining room and sunroom has a stone floor and a walkout to the garden.

A main-floor bedroom has a fireplace, a walk-in closet, a sitting room and a walkout to the garden.

The master suite has a vaulted ceiling, a two-sided fireplace, a gym, a sitting area and his-and-hers ensuite bathrooms. A fireplace, a sitting area and a four-piece ensuite are features of the other two bedrooms on the second floor.

“I believe this home would appeal to someone who loves to entertain. It has an open-concept design with a wonderful flow,” Ms. Kopman says. “My favourite room is the sunroom/dining room, which has floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the lake and views of beautiful sunsets.”

The property’s location within about an hour’s drive of Toronto is another bonus, she says, adding that the area offers many other properties that are in the same price range or more.

Views of Christian Island and the lights of Collingwood at night are among the treats offered by this Mulberry Court property.

The private three-quarter acre property has 113 feet of shoreline, a lake-fed irrigation system and “crystal clear water,” says listing agent Cindy McQuirter-Fairley. “There are no weeds and no rocks in the swimming area.”

The 2,700-sq.-ft. Spanish-style house has three bedrooms and three bathrooms. A main-floor family room, a custom kitchen and a living room that has a woodburning fireplace are other features.

Hardwood and ceramic floors throughout, extensive decking and balconies, cathedral ceilings, a main-floor laundry room and a westerly exposure for gorgeous sunsets are other highlights, she says.

The home office has a view of Georgian Bay and offers high-speed Internet, she says. A walkout lower level, central air conditioning and a central vacuum system are also included.